EDNA VICTORIA EMPEY

Condolences & Memories (2 entries)

• I read in today's online edition of the Winnipeg Free Press of Edna Empey's recent passing. Unfortunately, being out of country prevented me from attending her memorial service earlier today but I wish to convey my sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family. My memories of Edna and her husband Bill go back to the 1960s and my time as a Wolf Cub in the 44th Cub/Scout pack at St. Margaret's Anglican Church where the Empeys were my 'Akela', or leader. They were both fully devoted to the job and I have many, many fond memories of that time. In addition to our weekly pack meetings, I recall summer camps at the Boy Scout Camp in what is now St. Vital Park, sleeping in old military tents....and having the forgiving Empeys drive a very homesick 10-year old home! They were both such wonderful mentors to me, and unfortunately we often fail to appreciate their support, encouragement and counsel until it's too late to say 'thanks'. Again, to Edna's family....my condolences. She was an amazing, selfless lady who gave so much of herself to others - Posted by: Mark Strople (Friend) on: Mar 11, 2017

• In the late 1940's and early 1950's, my brother and I were choir boys, altar boys, cross bearers and bell ringers at St. Luke.s Anglican Church when Bill sang Bass in the choir and Edna took care of the Choir Boys to prepare the Cassocks and Surpluses for each Sunday service. Both Edna and Bill were good friends to many young choir members. I knew that Bill was an Army veteran (wounded) and that Edna assisted him greatly. While Bill worked in the CN shops in Ft. Rouge and Transcona, he was a Safety Officer along with another (deceased) friend, Ken Langridge. I know they were both involved a lot with the St. John's Ambulance organization for many years. Bill and Edna, for many years went with the "younger" choir members after Friday evening Choir Practice to the Margaret Rose Tearoom to share a good comaradarie with us. It was my hope a few years ago following Bill's death that I would be able to write the biography of Edna in light of her marriage to a wounded war veteran and the difficult path of convalescence. I had my request turned down by Edna for reason that she didn't want her name in print. I'm sorry. I am much older now and printed one book ... and soon to print another of Second World War biographies. I will think often in the coming years of my long ago friends. They attended our wedding ceremony in 1971 at St. Luke's Church and I saw them at various city locales in the years following our marriage. - Posted by: Harry McFee (Friend) on: Mar 04, 2017